Police investigate suspicious fatal fall from parking garage

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Salt Lake City police are investigating the fatal fall of a woman from atop a downtown building as suspicious but were unable to rule out an accident Friday.

Emily Martinez, 26, was found on the ground at the base of the Walker Building parking structure at 175 S. Main St. about 1:20 a.m.

Police Detective Dennis McGowan said no arrests had been made, but homicide detectives were called to the scene early Friday.

"It may have been a tragic accident," McGowan said.

However, exactly what led to Martinez's death was still unclear Friday evening. McGowan said Martinez and a male companion had met at a downtown club Thursday night and left the establishment about 11:30 p.m.

The two went to the top of the nearby parking structure and, for reasons not immediately explained, the man said he began to climb down the side of the building.

When the man realized Martinez was not with him, he said he went back to look for her. He said he eventually found her body at the base of the building and called 911.

McGowan said detectives had been interviewing witnesses, as well as family and friends of the victim. Police also were unable to determine Friday whether alcohol or any other intoxicating substance played a role.

Kimball Bennion contributed to this report.

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